Quote:
Originally Posted by grey99max
Not exactly:
"Computers:
During NHRA competition, no portable computer (e.g., laptop, PDA, Palm Pilot, programmer, ect.) may be used or located in a vehicle at any point beyond the staging area ready line. All functions or values must be pre-set prior to this point. This includes Grudge Race and Time Trial runs. Page #224 of the 2006 NHRA Rulebook. "
Basically any time you're on a NHRA track and making a pass.... That's how I've seen it enforced, too. Accessible computers on the track have been identified as a safety hazard, I remember reading.
Now I haven't studied the 2007 Rulebook, so there may be changes.
But we are safer.
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The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway identified Time Trials as strictly an event oriented pre-eliminations run. The term "Test and Tune", according to the same NHRA track, identified a non-competition run on a practice day without any class restrictions. That's what I was thinking was the deciding factor if a laptop is allowed.
And it also said "During NHRA competition". I don't think a normal Test and Tune practice session is considered NHRA competition. But in Las Vegas, we had a multiday NHRA Sport Compact race which had Time Trials on Friday. Then more Time Trials on Sat along with eliminations. They didn't call it TnT on Friday b/c it was Time Trials strictly for the competition the following day.
But if it IS a safety measure, then it will be enforced at every NHRA track around the nation. But if it's just a competition measure, then it will not be enforced during TnT practice sessions where they will let almost anything race as long as it's safe.
I can see how it can be a safety measure though. They don't want loose articles inside the cabin. But I wonder if it says anything about securing the laptop much like you would a fire extinguisher.
You know what? I've been meaning to pick up the latest NHRA rule book. I will need to buy a jacket anyway and I just want to read the rules for myself before I spend money on one. Plus, I hope to put my car in the 11s one day and I need to make sure I don't need to meet any new requirements I wasn't aware of. The last NHRA rule book I've read was a 2001 I think. A lot has changed since then I'm sure!
Also, on a slightly different note, I have always thought that NHRA safety rules are more strict than IHRA. All NHRA tracks are suppose to enforce NHRA rules. And IHRA tracks... IHRA rules. But if I follow all the NHRA rules, will it always pass safety reqirements on an IHRA track? I believe so. But not the other way around. Do you know for sure? I know they may have different class requirements, but I am only talking about safety requirements such as roll bar, cage, helmet type, jacket, gloves, pants, boots, fire extinguisher, blow down tube, firewalls, air filter, etc. Thanks.
:Edit: And one last thing. I know that even if you pass all the safety requirements in the latest NHRA rulebook, it also states that it is ultimately up to the tech inspection officials whether to allow you to race or not. So they can fail anybody for a reason not specified in the book.